The purchase district health department proposes to implement partnerships between public health, public safety, and recovery communities to address SUD/OUD epidemic with the purpose of impacting…

The purchase district health department proposes to implement partnerships between public health, public safety, and recovery communities to address SUD/OUD epidemic with the purpose of impacting racial and gender equity of recovery service delivery and reducing drug-related harms including overdose and incarceration. The project serves eight counties in far western kentucky with a population totaling 197,000 people. Project activities fall into four categories: 1) reducing overdose by (a) distributing naloxone to at-risk individuals and their families and (B) educating young people about fentanyl; 2) implementing a deflection/pre-arrest diversion program that increases access to substance use and behavioral health treatment; 3) implementing a warm-handoff to peer support for individuals released from jail; and 4) providing housing vouchers for individuals in recovery. Expected outcomes include reduced drug-related recidivism, increased utilization of substance use disorder services, and improved coordination of services between public safety, public health, and behavioral health service providers. The intended beneficiaries of the project are individuals with active substance use disorder, individuals in recovery, justice-involved individuals, and families of individuals with substance use disorder. The project includes a rigorous evaluation component and research activities to inform future programming and best practices.